Monday, February 12, 2024

Muslim Jesus

 Muslim Jesus

Arabic is a vast language with more than 1.5 billion words as opposed to the English language with a mere 650 thousand words. As such its  the most descriptive language ever and its morphology bears testimony to it. For example, the work dars means lesson or lecture and the person task with it, is a Mu-darsis (Mudaris), like wise the word athaan means the call to prayer and the one who is task with it, is a Mu-atheen (Muatheen), like wish the word Islam means submitter and the one task with it, is a Mu-islam (Muslim). Hence all believer who submit to the will of God, in the Arabic language is called a Muslim. Jesus Submittted his will to God Almighty.


In the Islamic tradition, Jesus, son of Mariam (Mary), holds a significant place as one of the mightiest messengers sent to the people of his time. According to the Qur'an, Jesus was sent to the Children of Israel, including the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Sanhedrin, who had deviated from the true path and were in need of guidance. The Qur'an mentions that three prophets were sent to reform them: Zakariah, John the Baptist, and Jesus.


The story of Jesus' miraculous birth is prominently featured in Islamic teachings. The Qur'an narrates that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mariam, informing her that she would conceive and give birth to a son, even though she was chaste and unmarried. This immaculate conception was a sign of God's power and mercy, and it came at a time when Zakariah, another prophet, had prayed to God for a son. Despite his old age and his wife's barrenness, God answered Zakariah's prayer and granted him a son, John the Baptist, as a sign of His blessings and favors.


During his lifetime, Jesus performed numerous miracles, as described in the Qur'an. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, and even raised the dead by God's permission. These miracles were a testament to Jesus' prophethood and his special status as a messenger of God.


One of the most significant events in the Islamic narrative of Jesus' life is the denial of his crucifixion. According to the Qur'an, Jesus was not crucified, but it was made to appear so. Instead, God raised him up to Himself, and he will return at the end of time as a sign of the Day of Judgment.


In the Qur'an, Jesus is mentioned by name in various verses, highlighting his importance as a prophet and messenger of God. These mentions encompass his birth, ministry, miracles, and his eventual return. Here are some of the Qur'anic verses that mention Jesus:


"And [mention] when the angels said, 'O Mariam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.'" (Qur'an 3:42)


"And [mention] when the angels said, 'O Mariam, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mariam - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ].'" (Qur'an 3:45)


"And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah . And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allah . And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.'" (Qur'an 3:49)


"But they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain." (Qur'an 4:157)


These verses, along with others in the Qur'an, present a comprehensive narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, and eventual return, emphasizing his status as a beloved prophet and messenger of God.